Venetian fest: Sun, sand, food, music

People from around the state and country crowded the streets and sand of Silver Beach Saturday for Saint JosephÂ?s Venetian Festival 2006.

The festival, which began July 13 and ends today, includes a taste fest, a carnival, entertainment, vendors and beach activities.

SaturdayÂ?s festivities included a river run and walk, a beach volleyball tournament, a sand sculpture competition, a marathon swim, concerts and several contests and give-aways put on by area vendors and radio stations.

Architects Alli Hill and Kay Townsend of Indianapolis and Interior Designer Mandie Outman of Lansing participated together in the sand sculpture competition, sponsored by the Venetian Festival, Krasl Art Center and Fifth Third Bank.

The trio worked together to create a green sand alligator, which they colored with food coloring, resting its tail on a log.

Â?We decided to do this two days ago,Â? Townsend said. Â?WeÂ?re having a blast. This has really been a good time.Â?

Tim V. Dance and Pam Dance of South Bend also took part in the sand sculpting competition along with their sons and daughters-in-law Tim M. and Leslie Dance and Brian and Kari Dance, all of Blue Springs, Mo.

Â?This is kind of a family thing,Â? Tim M. said. Â?ItÂ?s been a lot of fun. We made a trip to play in the sand.Â?

Southwest MichiganÂ?s sand wasnÂ?t the only thing festival goers were given the chance to enjoy.

Restaurants from around the region participated in the Â?Taste of Southwest MichiganÂ? taste fest, which offered a variety of foods from seafood quesadillas to chocolate dipped bananas.

Â?ItÂ?s an awesome time,Â? she said. Â?You have an awesome opportunity to meet people, hang out with friends and family, and eat good food.Â?

But it wasnÂ?t all food and games for some festival goers who were ready for a challenge.

Local Marine Corps representatives brought pull-up bars and offered people the chance to show their strength for prizes.

The Marine Corps Challenge proved to be a popular attraction to crowds of spectators.

Sgt. Reginald Gee said the festival served as a good way to get exposure.

Â?My goal is to educate people on the Marine Corps and answer any questions they may have while theyÂ?re here,Â? he said.

The Marines werenÂ?t the only ones getting exposure.

Jewelry makers, tattoo artists, craft makers and others were stationed at booths showing off their talents and selling their products.

Bands and dance groups performed at stations within the festival as well.

Brandon Lepper of Battle Creek said the different music groups make the festival more exciting.

Â?I like watching the different groups,Â? he said while watching a band from California play music from the Andes Mountains. Â?My whole family came out to the festival. We look forward to this every year.Â?